Manipulating the type 1 vs type 2 balance in type 1 diabetes

Virus infections cause a strong inflammatory reaction that is dominated by the expression of type 1 cytokines and chemokines. Such an aggressive immune response by the host is necessary to eliminate intracellular pathogens. However, because of this shift in the type 1 vs type 2 balance of the immune response, virus infections are potential candidates for triggering autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes (T1D), herpes stromal keratitis, or multiple sclerosis (MS). In this review we will focus on the pathogenesis of T1D in a virus-induced transgenic mouse model and discuss possibilities of how an agressive type 1-dominated immune response can be restrained and autoimmunity be abrogated.